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Murder of Christine Silawan

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Murder of Christine Lee Silawan
DateMarch 10, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-03-10)
TimeBetween 6–7 pm (PhST)
LocationLapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
TypeStabbing, rape
MotiveJealousy[1]
Participants2
SuspectsRenato Llenes[2]
Accused"John", 17 (identity withheld)
VerdictNot guilty[3]

Christine Lee Silawan,[4] (March 26, 2002 - March 10, 2019) a 16-year-old high school student and church collector, was found dead in a vacant lot in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.[5] Her body was discovered with multiple stab wounds and her face skinned beyond recognition. She was also naked from the waist down and raped.[6]

Murder

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Before her murder, it was reported that 16-year-old student Christine Lee Silawan's unidentified boyfriend supposedly used a fake Facebook account to lure her into meeting him.[1] Investigators discovered that the suspect had posed as another man on Facebook, trying to "court" her.[1] On March 11, 2019, Silawan was found dead in a vacant lot in Lapu-Lapu City with multiple stab wounds and her face mutilated.[7]

An autopsy also revealed that her tongue, trachea, esophagus, parts of her neck, and her right ear were missing.[8]

Investigation and aftermath

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Jonas Martel Bueno, who was arrested for the murder of a 62-year-old farmer in Danao City, Cebu, denied involvement in Silawan's murder.[9] Police said that the style of the killings in Danao City were "strikingly similar" to that of Silawan's.[9]

The murder suspect, identified as 'John', was arrested at his home in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City on March 16, 2019, based on conversation exchanged on Facebook Messenger.[10] According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), if Silawan's ex-boyfriend known only as John killed her, he could be charged in court. John passed the discernment procedure conducted on him.[11]

Forensic investigation stated that Silawan was murdered sometime between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm on March 10, 2019.[7] March 10 CCTV footage shows Silawan walking with a man in the early evening; this was the last known footage of her.[12] The authorities said that Silawan broke up with John a few days before her murder, adding that they are looking at jealousy as the possible motive.[12] The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said that at least three persons could have committed the murder.[12] However, the allegations against the suspect were baseless according to the suspect's relative, who claimed that he was playing basketball with his friends and doing household chores on the day of her murder.[12] The suspect's mother believed that her son was innocent and instead called for the real perpetrator.[12][13] The suspect's mother added that her son would have been on the run if he had committed the murder.[13] The suspect himself opened the door for the NBI, who filed the search warrant on him.[13] According to the NBI, they based their suspicions on eyewitness testimony. CCTV footage showed the victim walking hurriedly away from the church being followed by the man at 6:12 pm — contrary to the mother's claim that he was playing basketball.[13] According to the teenager's friend, who was selling food near the basketball court, he bought a balut around 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm and then went home.[13]

The NBI reviewed Facebook Messenger exchanges between the suspect and Silawan where they found some deleted messages. They were also looking for evidence of the suspect's usage of a fake account to lure the victim into meeting her on March 10. The suspect underwent a drug test, which was negative.[13] According to the NBI, the suspect is a former lover of Silawan and he was charged with murder; however the suspect did not admit to the crime.[14] Silawan's mother, Lourdes Silawan, is convinced that the suspect and other cohorts committed the crime.[14] The PNP declared the case as "closed" on March 19, but the police will continue to search for two other suspects. The suspect is now in DSWD custody.[14]

The killing has elicited controversy and political debate over the proposed reinstatement of the death penalty as a punishment for heinous crimes.[15][16][17]

The Public Attorney's Office forensic team confirmed on April 2, 2019, that Silawan was raped. The team found bleeding in her genitals; they also discovered that acid was possibly poured onto Silawan's face before being peeled off. It was discovered that Silawan was strangled to death using a rope, and the forensic team suspected that at least three people may have been involved.[18]

On April 9, alleged murder suspect Renato Llenes was arrested by the police where he made an "extra-judicial confession" for killing her but he entered "not guilty" plea for the murder charges.[19][20] Llenes claimed that his crime was inspired by Momo Challenge–which was prevalent at the time.[4] On May 24, 2020, it was reported that Llenes allegedly killed himself by hanging.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jealousy eyed motive for killing of Christine Silawan —NBI". MSN.
  2. ^ "Cebu teen slay case: Self-confessed killer's DNA found on scissors". Philippine News Agency.
  3. ^ "Self-confessed killer of Christine Silawan pleads not guilty to murder". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  4. ^ a b "New suspect in Silawan slay arrested; claims killing inspired by 'Momo' challenge". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  5. ^ Letigio, Delta Dyrecka; Lauro, Paul (March 11, 2019). "Body of 16-year-old church collector whose face was skinned found in Lapu-Lapu City". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  6. ^ Semilla, Nestle (March 11, 2019). "Hunt on for 3 men behind skinning, slay of Cebu student". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  7. ^ a b "'Suspect in Cebu teen murder acted with discernment'". The Manila Times.
  8. ^ Erram, Morexette Marie (March 13, 2019). "Crime Lab: Lapu teen's body is missing some internal organs". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Suspect denies involvement in killing of minor in Cebu". MindaNews.
  10. ^ "NBI: Too much jealousy may have triggered brutal slay of Cebu teen". Manila Bulletin.
  11. ^ "Silawan's ex-bf passes test of discernment". SunStar.
  12. ^ a b c d e "NBI arrests 17-year-old suspect in Christine Silawan murder". One News – via YouTube.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Ina ng binatilyong suspek sa Silawan slay pumalag". ABS-CBN News – via YouTube.
  14. ^ a b c "Silawan slay itinuturing na 'crime of passion' - PNP". ABS-CBN News – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Bongcac, Doris (March 11, 2019). "Netizens want death penalty for 'monsters' who killed Grade 9 student from Lapu". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  16. ^ Lacuata, Rose Carmelle (March 12, 2019). "Cebu rape-slay case sparks calls for death penalty revival". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  17. ^ Domingo, Katrina (March 13, 2019). "Cebu teen rape-slay 'not good reason' to revive death penalty: Otso Diretso bets". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Dalagitang pinatay sa Cebu, kumpirmadong ginahasa - PAO | News Patrol". ABS-CBN News – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Self-confessed killer of Lapu-Lapu teen pleads not guilty to murder charges". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Silawan murder suspect allegedly kills self". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Suspect in Silawan slay case found dead in jail". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
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